Ever wonder about a passage of Scripture? I have had folk tell me, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Luke 7:1). Yet, the same Bible includes the instructions to “judge not according to appearance, but (to) judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). One reason we are told not to judge is this: we are instructed to “judge not, and ye shall not be judged” (Luke 6:37). The concept of being judged by others is explained. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 7:2).

The Apostle Paul gives a startling statement regarding the judgment of men on our lives. He says, “But with me it is a very small thing to be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self” (1 Corinthians 4:3). How is that possible? Paul knew something we all know, but too often forget: the Lord is our Judge. The Apostle writes, “For I know nothing of myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:4-5). Which do you prefer? The praise of men? Or, the praise of God?

So (back in Luke) if we are not to judge that we be not judged and if (according to John) we are to judge righteous judgment, what are we to do? We are to love our enemies, to do good to all men and to lend without hoping for any return (Luke 6:35). That is demonstrating the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ without respect of persons (James 2:1). When we look at the raiment and recognize the pleasing over the poor, we are partial and become judges of evil thoughts (James 2:4).

When we treat all with the respect God has shown to us (that is, when we judge not), great is our reward (Luke 6:35). Men shall give good measure to us: measure pressed down, shaken together and running over. Why? Because it shall be measured again to us with the same measure that we mete out to all (Luke 6:38)!